Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Do you ever feel bogged down by motherly duties? I sometimes feel sorry for myself when I have a full day of kids running around, full time job, dinner to be made, dishes to be done, clothes to be folded. I don't know why I feel sorry for myself as I know most mothers have these same responsibilities.

Today at work I made a list - of everything I was going to get done when I got home. Workout, dinner, take Sam to Little Gym, kids in bed, quilting and sewing to be done. By the time I got home I was wondering how I would get everything done and did I really have to take Sam to Little Gym tonight? Can't I have a night to myself?

Needless to say I had a bad attitude when getting us ready to go and walking into the class. By the time the class ended - I was so glad I had taken him. Watching Sam in his class and how much fun he has, how he knows the routines, he gets excited to walk on the balance beam and hang on the bars. Something so easy for me to do once a week, that has been so good for Sam. Has been so good for me to spend some quality one on one time with him - and I had wanted to miss this weekly event?

I was reminded tonight what life is really all about. Not work, or sewing - its about family and spending quality time with my kids. Nights like tonight is what my kids will remember growing up - what I want them to remember growing up. It didn't matter that I didn't get one thing on my list accomplished but dinner for the kids - what mattered is that I spent some time with Sam.

Tomorrow I think we'll make a date to go see some Christmas lights. I hope to stay in the moment with my kids and not get so caught up in what needs to be done or what I want to get done.

Kids only want to be with their parents for so long - I gotta remember that next time I have a bad parenting attitude!

Monday, November 28, 2011

We had a wonderful relaxing Thanksgiving weekend. We headed out Tuesday evening for the long drive to St. George. Trust me - if you don't think that is a long drive - head down with my two kids! We arrived around 11pm - and hit the sack.

We spent the weekend with my wonderful in-laws. My mother-in-law pampers us with great meals, playing with the kids, and I barely have to lift a finger....what could be better? My father in law runs around after my kids the whole weekend. I am sure he is grateful for a little peace right about now.

The kids and I hit a few quilt stores and took an afternoon nap on Wednesday while Mike and his parents golfed. I love that it was 70 degrees! As soon as they got home my MIL shooed us out the door for a little alone time. That evening we began making our Thanksgiving feast - and what a feast it was!

Thanksgiving was low key - with a great meal - yams are my favorite - fruit salad was Jake's. It couldn't have been nicer. The morning was spent watching a little football, making crete paper chains, Christmas trees and mini ornaments with Grandma, a little soccer on the patio, and a nibble here and there of a great turkey.

After our feast we headed out in the wonderful weather to a little park with the kids. I am so grateful for what a cute relationship my kids have with their grandparents. Every morning I would hear Sam fly down the stairs looking for "Pappe" as he calls Grandpa. Or Jake crawling into bed with Grandma on Friday for a little nap. I love watching their individual relationships grow.

We came home and visited with Mikes brother Steve and his wife Patty and they brought over McKinley their little grand daughter. Jake was in heaven! Sam pulled her hair once - but loved her every other minute she was there. She is so cute.

We hit up the Twilight movie on Friday which was great! I can't get her red eyes out of my head at night! I also got a little shopping in that morning. I am almost done with the shopping!

We had such a wonderful weekend and I am so lucky to have great in-laws that I love so much and are so good to us.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Remember this quilt? I made two - one with an aqua border one with a red border. I kept the red one for myself - and my sister called dibs on the aqua border one. I finished mine up got it quilted - and even bound on our way home from St. George this weekend (more to come on Thanksgiving weekend soon).

I switched things up this year and hung it on my quilt rack - using my usual Christmas quilt as a table cloth this year. I love having a full quilt hung to be seen in all its glory. I think this one turned out great. I'm a sucker for stars - and this is one big star.

I quilted a loop and snowflake pantograph which worked great with these fabrics.

I'm thrilled that I actually got a quilt completed before the season started. I've been a little late to the party these days, so I couldn't be happier that I have it done and have it on display even!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend and have started the Christmas season in full force!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

The one who looks curious and guilty.... has always had a love for learning. He came out of the womb practically talking, he has always loved looking through books. When learning new words he'll say what does that mean - and asks questions all the time. Just the other night he said "Apparently, you'll be putting me to bed tonight mom" What 4 year old uses the word apparently? And where did he learn that word? I don't walk around saying it. So not sure why I'm surprised when my little guy started to read.

Yes you heard me write - my guy is reading and I couldn't be prouder. What I love more than anything is that he loves it and is so excited! A friend suggested I get the Bob Book series which I highly recommend. Before the end of the night he could read the 1st book all on his own. We were both so excited for him. He was so excited to read to his dad - and the next morning to Grama Polly and to Ty and anyone who will walk through our door. Today Grandma Sharon and Grandpa Ken got a book read to them. I love that he is so excited for this new skill he has learned. For the last 3 nights he has wanted to practice his reading and move onto a new book in the series.

I don't know if there is anything more exciting then watching your child learn - and knowing that he loves it. The feeling I got the first time he read the book all by himself I will never forget. What a wonderful moment in my parenting world - one I'm sure will always stand out.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

I saw this pattern out and about blogland and knew I had to make this quilt.

I searched far and wide for the magazine and was having no luck finding it - when it was delivered to my house! Who knew I had a subscription? I should check that out in the future before searching for a magazine.

Remembering I had a jelly roll of 12 Days of Christmas by the fabulous Kate Spain - I quickly whipped up my first quilt. You can get 2 of these out of 1/2 a jelly roll. (Pictures taken late last night, sorry for the dark display). I threw on the red and aqua border because that is so in right now. Love how it turned out.

So Sunday I whipped up my second one - cause like I said you can get two out of 1 jelly roll. I went back and forth for a few days on what borders to add to this one. I'm more of a traditional Christmas decorator - and usually stick with red and green - so I decided to go with a traditional border with thoughts to actually keep this quilt.

The two of them together - can't decide which one I really like more....thoughts?

I'll be quilting them this weekend and then I'll decide which one will stay and which will go....

This pattern was fun to make, went together fast and yielding 2 quilts! What could be better? I also got 6 table runners from the left over strips. That is one great use of a jelly roll!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Earlier this year - I first saw this quilt made out of the Grace line by 3 Sisters. I fell in love and counted down the days til the line went on sale. I bought all the fabric to make that quilt. A few weeks ago I cut it all out - its sitting in a bag waiting for me to start it. Goal is to have it done before Christmas.

We'll see how that goes.

In an effort to use up all my scraps I had a few leftover after cutting up the quilt. I had to make something with this beautiful line.

I pick this quick little table runner to display this great line. I'm loving these runners with a pop of color in the middle surrounded by a solid fabric. They are quick and easy, yet bold and fun! Available in the shop and more to come in Christmas fabrics...whipped up a few more this weekend!